RETAINING the Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup has become the main focus for Northwich Victoria.

An inconsistent league campaign has seen them fall well short of being in promotion contention – something they were targeting in August.

With 13 league games remaining, Vics sit 12th in the North West Counties League Premier Division table – a massive 23 points shy of the all-important top three.

While insisting his side will "give everything" in their remaining league games – starting with a home game against neighbours Winsford United on Saturday, kick off 3pm – boss Steve Wilkes says thinking they would win every match between now and season's end was "ludicrous."

Vics won the Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup last season by beating Winsford on penalties in the final and they will face either Blues or Barnton in the semi finals.

"It would be ludicrous to think we would win our next 13 games," he said.

"Even if we did, teams ahead of us are too far in front for us to get promotion.

"Still, we’ll give everything for those 13 games to try and finish as high as we possibly can.

"We’ve got a cup semi final and hopefully a final as well so hopefully we can finish with a trophy."

Vics' trip to Whitchurch Alport on Saturday was postponed due to the weather brought about by Storm Dennis, meaning the 3-3 draw with 1874 Northwich last Wednesday was their last league fixture.

In that game, defender Phil Clarke and striker Aaron Burns were both substituted with hamstring complaints and their fitness will be assessed.

Wilkes has praised Burns for "changing his game" to adapt to the team's needs over the past few weeks.

"We’ve said to Aaron over the past few weeks that he has to change his game," he said.

"He can’t really run in behind any more but when he gets hold of it and brings people into play, he does a really good job for us.

"He said his hamstring felt tight against 1874 so we’ll have a look at him and see how he is."

Wilkes' side are also slated to travel to promotion-chasing Bootle on Tuesday night, kick off 7.45pm.